Alexandria, Va. - The Alexandria City School Board has approved both the 2014-15 School Year Academic Calendars and a modification of the snow/weather make-up days for the 2013-14 school year calendars for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students. There are two Academic Calendars: the traditional calendar that the majority of schools follow and the modified calendar applicable to Mount Vernon Community School (2013-14) and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (2013-15).

The School Board voted unanimously to modify the current 2013-14 school year calendars to allow for more flexibility in making up days missed because of inclement weather. The calendars previously required weather-related closures beyond three days to be made up only by adding school days to the end of the year. The revised calendar, however, allows those days to be made up on the following specific teacher work days and professional days:

Traditional Calendar: March 14 and April 11, 2014

Modified Calendar: February 28 and March 21, 2014

Because Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 were the fourth and fifth weather-related closures of this year, students will now be required to attend school on March 14 and April 11 for traditional-calendar schools and February 28 and March 21, 2014 for modified calendar schools. If there are more than six weather-related closures, the administration may add minutes to the school day to make up lost instructional time in lieu of adding days to the end of the year.

The School Board also voted (7-2) to approve the 2014-15 academic calendars. The School Year 2014-15 calendars include 183 student days and 196 teacher contract days. Columbus Day is a student holiday, but a split professional development day and work day for teachers. Winter break has been extended to a full two weeks. In order to extend winter break by two days, Veterans Day will be a regular school day, and one teacher professional day in December has been eliminated.

Next school year, any weather-related closures beyond three days will be made up on January 30, March 9 and April 17, which are professional days or teacher work days. Any additional closures will result in days being made up by adding minutes to the school day under a structured plan as an alternative to adding days to the end of the school year.

City Manager Rashad M. Young has announced that Alexandria Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel is resigning his position to accept an appointment by Governor Terence McAuliffe as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Thiel, who became fire chief in 2007, is responsible for many accomplishments. They include the opening of Fire Station 209 in Potomac Yard, construction of Station 210 on Eisenhower Avenue, complete replacement of the City’s front-line fleet of fire apparatus and EMS units, and securing funding for a new fireboat. Under his leadership, the Fire Department increased staffing on fire suppression units, provided a dedicated health and safety officer on each shift, and provided dedicated fire and EMS field training officers. Thiel also served as the City's operations section chief for several presidentially-declared disasters, and served alongside Alexandria Fire Department members and other City staff in the aftermath of Paramedic Joshua Weissman's tragic line-of-duty-death in February 2011.

“Chief Thiel has served Alexandria with distinction,” said City Manager Young. “His strong leadership, strategic vision, and passionate commitment to our community have left an indelible mark on our City and ensure our continued safety. He has been a vital part of our team, and he will be missed.”

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this amazing City and the committed members of our Alexandria Fire Department family,” Chief Thiel said. “I know the Department will continue moving forward with dedication to our community, our profession, and each other."

Thiel is expected to begin his new position in February. The City will launch a nationwide search for a new fire chief. An acting fire chief will be announced by the City Manager at a later time.

Join us on February 1, 2014 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to receive up to 70 and 80% off merchandise from Alexandria’s finest boutiques! Be sure to get there early to shop the best selection!

Discounted Parking: Pay only $5 for the whole day at the Colonial Parking garage located at 1800 Diagonal Street (across from the King Street Metro). Opens at 7AM. Important: To get the reduced parking rate, bring your parking ticket and get it validated at the front desk of the Warehouse Sale.

Shuttle Bus: Park or ride the Metro and take the free shuttle right across the street from the King Street Metro station at the bottom of the hill to the front door of the sale. Starts at 8:30AM and drives this loop until 3PM.

Giveaways: Make your waiting time productive and win gifts and gift certificates from area boutiques, including including a $100 gift card from Hysteria, jewelry from Toka and Chris, and a personal training session at Fitness on the Run.